However, hopes of a better yield did not result in hauls for those on Otago's rivers yesterday.
Dunedin man Tom McMurtrie (65) was basking in the sun near Henley and enjoying his first whitebait season as a retiree.
And while the weather gods played their part, with temperatures peaking at 16degC on the Taieri, Mr McMurtrie had little luck.
``I probably caught about four whitebait and other people have caught about the same,'' he said with a laugh.
However, the low numbers were not going to dampen his spirits on the first day of the season.
``It was a beautiful day first thing in the morning and it was quite a good day all up - them's the breaks,'' he said.
``I will probably be back on the river Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
``It's good being out on the river, just to be here.''
He was unsure what had caused the low yields, but there was speculation among those on the rivers about the impact of two visiting Southern right whales.
``There were some whales here off Brighton and a couple of dolphins, so whether they had a feed I don't know.''
Mr McMurtrie had enjoyed whitebaiting in the past two seasons. This year was his first ``taking it really seriously''.
``I have a wee bit of success,'' he said. ``It's enough to get a feed. I catch enough for family and friends.''
Department of Conservation freshwater ranger Ciaran Campbell said Doc was expecting catches to improve this year, after work to improve Otago's whitebait fishery by the department and Contact Energy.
He reminded fishermen that three of the four whitebait species in Otago were threatened or at risk due to declining numbers and habitat.
``Whitebaiters should only take what they need and think about the sustainability of the fishery for future generations.''
Doc had been monitoring whitebait numbers and restoring habitats in the Clutha River catchment. One issue noted last season was river banks being damaged by whitebaiters.
``We're encouraging whitebaiters to look after the fishery and surrounding habitat,'' he said.
``Damaging riverbanks affects their critical spawning habitat and breaches the whitebait regulations and rules in Otago Regional Council's water plan''
Whitebaiting is permitted between 5am and 8pm at present and between 6am and 9pm once daylight saving starts on September 28.
A meeting to discuss whitebaiting would be held by Doc in Balclutha next week.
Doc needed feedback from whitebaiters so the department could be better informed about the fishery, he said.
The meeting will be held at the Balclutha Town Hall at 7.30pm.
